In such cases where the husband died without having children or was impotent, the wife could conceive with the help of a great man after taking permission from her husband or in-laws after the death of the husband. However, there were many strict rules for this practice.

During the Mahabharata period, whenever you hear the name of a warrior or hero, they were often introduced by their mother's name. Like Kuntiputra Arjun, Devkinandan Shri Krishna, Gangaputra Bhima… It is clear from this that during that period, mothers were given an important place in the society. But during this period, there was also a practice called 'Niyog', through which many heroes were born. Today, there may be different opinions on this practice. But why was this practice in reality and how did it explain the scenario of that society, let us understand it.

What was the Niyog system of the Mahabharata period

According to the scriptures, in cases where the husband has died without having children or is impotent, the wife could conceive with the help of a Mahatma Purush after taking permission from her husband or in-laws after the death of the husband. This practice was called Niyog. However, there were very strict rules regarding its observance. Author Ami Ganatra, while explaining this practice in detail in her book, says, 'The practice of Niyog was not used for sexual pleasure but only for getting children. There were restrictions on how many times a woman could practice Niyog. Also, the biological father was not obliged to have any relationship with the child born. The child will get the name of his real mother and her legitimate husband (in whose name Niyog was done).'

Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidur were born from Niyoga

There are many occasions in the Mahabharata when we find evidence of the use of this practice. You often hear about this practice in ancient texts, when the king or queen used the practice of Niyog to get a glorious and brave child. During the Mahabharata period, the great king Shantanu had two sons from Ganga, Devavrata i.e. Bhishma and Satyavati - Vichitravirya and Chitrangada. Bhishma had already taken a tough vow of lifelong celibacy in an incident. At the same time, Shantanu and Satyavati's elder son Chitrangada died in his youth. Vichitravirya married two princesses of Kashi, Ambika and Ambalika. He too died in his youth without having any child. There were only two options to keep the Kuru dynasty alive - either through Bhishma's marriage, or through the process of Niyog of Ambika and Ambalika. Bhishma was firm on his vow. Therefore, Satyavati's first son, Krishna-Dwaipayana i.e. Veda Vyas was called to help the queens conceive. After using this Niyog system, Dhritarashtra was born from Ambika, Pandu from Ambalika and Vidur from the womb of Ambika's maid.

PC:News18